Pharr Indian Mounds Natchez Trace

Trade from Afar
Around 2,000 to 1,800 years ago native people built Pharr Mounds, a complex of eight dome-shaped mounds, spread over 90 acres.
One of the largest Middle Woodland era mound sites in the region, Pharr Mounds was near a sizable village. The people there attracted a trade for everyday items and ceremonial objects. 

A vast trading network stretched from the southeastern US to the shores of Lake Ontario. Over hundreds of linked trails, objects of copper, mica, greenstone, and shell found their way to Pharr Mounds. People from smaller local villages then came here to obtain exotic goods. 
Natchez Trace ParkwayAll natural and cultural resources along the Natchez Trace Parkway are protected by federal laws.

Objects and Ideas
Mounds Along the Natchez Trace Parkway 
200 BCE
Middle Woodland Period
Bynum Mounds
Pharr Mounds 
Late Woodland Period 800 CE
Boyd Mounds 
Mangum Mounds
Early Mississippian Period 1000CE 1200CE 
Bear Creek Mounds
Late Mississippian Period 1400CE 1600CE 
Emerald Mound

People from the Woodland era created some of the finest crafts and artwork in North America. For inspiration, they turned to the natural world and their understanding of the universe. The objects they created in metal, stone, and shell were prized from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.

Since many of the traded objects had a spiritual meaning or were linked to religious ceremonies, it is clear that ideas traveled with the trade. Though there were local variations, American Indians throughout today's eastern US understood and related to the imagery skillfully applied to pipes, jewelry, fabric, and pottery.

Coming Home 

Coming Home
Like the native peoples who lived near Pharr Mounds cultures around the world and across time built monuments and lasting memorials. Mounds like these are some of the earliest remaining monuments in North America.

Skillfully designed and built, these mounds are a source of wonder and pride, Spiritually enduring, they become the cornerstone of civic and religious ceremonies and rituals.

Modern Chickasaw feels a strong bond with Pharr Mounds and considers them sacred. Many return here as a part of a pilgrimage to their ancestral homeland.

"I am astounded by the levels of the science of spirituality, and community and organization evident in the creation and existence of Pharr Mounds and how it related to the larger region. I am proud of my ancestors."

Kirk Perry
Executive Officer for Historic Preservation
Chickasaw Nation

Pharr Indian Mounds Markers

Pharr Indian Mounds

🚌📖 🚌📖 🚌📖 🚌📖 2017 May 18, Events leading up to the Shoals Front Porch Storytelling Festival

Two buses were waiting at the Florence Visitor Center for passengers to board. One bus takes a group of people on a Historical Tour(guide Billy Warren) and the other bus takes a Music Tour (guide Walt Aldridge).
A couple from Toronto Canada, a couple from Louisiana, a woman from Tuscaloosa, our driver, our guide Billy Warren and myself loaded onto the bus taking the historic tour.
We visited the Florence Indian Mound and Museum, the Rosenbaum House, rode by WC Handy's Home and we visited the Ivy Green Home of Helen Keller.

Our first stop was the Newly-built Indian Mound Museum. We were led into the sitting area where we listened to the curator tell the history of the museum and mound, starting with the Paleo Indians, Transitional, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian and ending with the Native American age

Late Archaic Period

Middle Archaic Period

Early Archaic Period 

Once again, we loaded onto the bus, our next stop was the Rosenbaum House, where we were met by a curator who told the history of the Rosenbaum Family and how Frank Loyd Wright ended up building the newly married couple's home.

We rode by the WC  Handy Home, not stopping while Billy told the history of WC Handy.
As we cross the O'Neal Bridge, Billy Warren said the bridge was named after two governors from Florence (father and son).
Billy was asked about the Train Bridge and why it went only halfway across the river, Billy said that the lift part of the bridge was sold to a company in St Louis, Mo.

Our last stop was Ivy Green, the home of Helen Keller. As we approached the home, we could see a large group of schoolchildren.

Ivy Green and Several Groups of School Children 

The pump where Helen Keller said "Water" is where her education began. 

The curator came outside and gave us a little history of the Keller family.
One story the curator told us was about Annie Sullivan.
Helen locked Miss Sullivan in her room, and she hid the key.
Mr. Keller had to get a ladder for Miss Sullivan to climb out a window.
What had she gotten herself into?

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This young man said, Is this the statue that is in Washington DC?  I said no, it was one of Helen standing by the pump.

The Key used to Lock Miss Sullivan in her room.

Ivy Green as we were leaving (notice no school Children)

Once again, we loaded into the bus and rode back to the Visitor Center. Since it was such a small group, we got to know a little about one another.

I grabbed a bite of lunch at Jack's (kids' chicken fingers, green beans, Rice Krispy bit-size snack, and iced tea.
At 2PM, I watched the Katherine Tucker Windham Tucker Life video at the Florence Library (sat next to my friends). The woman from Tuscaloosa, from the bus tour.

From 3:30-4:15PM, at Florence Library, I listened to Dolores Hydock's talks about "It Could Happen! Stories of Hope and Possibility.
Funny, sweet stories of hope, possibilities, and the little things in life that make hope possible.

Stopped to talk to my writing friends before heading home.
At Rick's Barbecue, I bought some pulled pork, Cole Slaw, iced tea, and Texas toast for supper.

Had a wonderful day, made a few new friends, visited several museums, watched a video about a great storyteller, and listened to a great storyteller with my friends.

2010 April 13, Tuesday, Indian Mound, Train Tressel and Singing River Park

Tuesday I took two of my grandsons to Indian Mound Museum where we saw on display a collection of American Indian relics dating back over 10,000 years. There were several display cases full of arrowheads that interested my grandsons. The Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Creek once lived in this area until the trail of tears. 
We also watched a short film.

Indian Mound Museum 

The curator said we could walk take the stairs to the top of the Indian Mound. She said to beware of the snake in the grass. She said it was not poison. 
The cost was two dollars each. The museum is opened Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00-4:00PM.

Indian Mound Museum closed in 2015, the building was small and dilapidated.
Not sure if you can access the mound until the new building is built. 
The new building is due to open in October 2016. The artifacts that once was on display is being filtered through. They are only keeping the most important ones. A sash worn by Chickasaw Chief George Colbert will be on display. I cannot wait until the new one opens. 

Historic Marker

There is a historic marker telling the information about the mound. 
Prehistoric Mound (Probably Built between 100 B.C and 400 A.D.)
This is the highest domiciliary mound in the Tennessee Valley. It was probably built between 100 B.C. and 400 A.D. by a prehistoric people of the ancient Woodland Culture. Such mounds served as bases for ceremonial temples or chief's houses. This mound, originally encircled by an earthen wall, contains no burials. It is 43 feet in height. Its base measurements are 310 feet by 230 feet. Its flat top measures 145 feet by 90 feet. Evidence indicates that nearby there were two smaller mounds, villages and cultivated fields.

Climbing the many steps to the top

Port of Florence

The boys and I climbed the many steps to the top.  To the left, we could see the Tennessee River, O'Neal Bridge, and the old train tassel. To our right, we could see the Port of Florence.
We could see barges being unloaded with palettes of goods being delivered to Florence. 
We saw train cars that no longer used the now discarded train tracks that once crossed the Tennessee River. The steps faced by the museum and behind the museum were the Co-Cop.
We waded through the tall grass hoping not to see the friendly snake. 
After taking a few pictures we walked back down the steps.

We crossed the Tennessee River and stopped at the location of the old train trestle on the Colbert County side. 

Walking Trail of the Train Tressel

The Tressel is now a walking trail.
My grandsons and I walked to the end of the Tressel and back. 

The Gate is lock where once trains traveled across the Tennessee River

We walked to the car and crossed the Singing River Bridge back to Lauderdale County.
We stopped at Singing River Park that was filled with blooming dogwoods.
This park has newly built restroom opened to the public except for the winter months when they are locked. 

Sun Dial 

At the bottom of the park is around the concrete slab, almost like a sundial, where you can set and watch the barges go up and down the river. 

My grandsons and I walked down the many steps to the banks of the Tennessee River. It is also handicap accessible. 

Steps and handicap walkway

There are so many fun things you can do with your children and grandchildren. Teach them to love the history of the area where they live.